Detroit: Hygrade Deli

Located on the outskirts of Corktown (depending on which direction you are coming from) on Michigan Ave is Detroit’s Best Kept Secret, Hygrade Deli. Hygrade Deli has been in business for over 65 years, managing to keep the same family running it for the past 45 years. The staff treats you like family and the food is on pointCorned Beef is one of my favorite sandwiches. Slather on Thousand Island and top with kraut and its the best! When I heard that Hygrade Deli was the place to score one of their famous Reubens, I couldn’t wait to get in there and try one. That’s not all they have. With a menu including sandwiches, soups, entrees, and breakfast, Hygrade Deli is your one stop shop for everything delicious.

Reuben Sandwich: Corned Beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, 1000 Island dressing, grilled on Rye bread served with Topor’s pickles. Pretty good! I loved that the corned beef was sliced thin, juicy, without being fatty. It really makes a difference to have the bread grilled. It was perfectly golden brown, buttery, and didn’t get soggy. Those pickles! I asked the owner where Hygrade Deli gets their pickles and he told me they were Topor’s. Seriously, one of my favorites. Nothing really to them, but a nice sour dill bite. So good!

My favorite part about my visit was how friendly everyone was. You can tell a place is good by the vibes the other people eating there give off. Everyone was happy and seemed to know each other. Service was good and the owner even chatted me up while I was cashing out to make sure I liked everything. Not everyone does this and I think it’s crucial. The owners were delighted when I told them it was my first time and that I couldn’t wait to try a renowned Hygrade Deli Reuben sandwich. It’s experiences like this that make me happy to spend my money at local restaurants.

Celebrity status? Hygrade Deli was featured in the movie, “the Pickle Recipe” as a stand in for Irv’s Deli. The movie is based on a true story about a guy who attempts to steal his grandmother’s prized pickle recipe. What a jerk, but so cool that Hygrade Deli was featured.

If you haven’t stopped by Hygrade Deli, get in there! You are missing out, my friend.

Hygrade Deli•3640 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216• (313) 894-6620